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Wake Forest could be perfect remedy for Florida State’s defense

Aside from the poor tackling, which resulted in 33 missed tackles at North Carolina State and a renewed emphasis on wrapping up the opponent this week in practice, Jimbo Fisher remains positive when speaking about his beleaguered defense.

Fisher points to youth – primarily three members of the front seven rotation, linebacker Jacob Pugh and linemen Lorenzo Featherston and Derrick Nnadi who are true freshmen _ injuries and the adjustments that limited NC State the final three quarters.

The Wolfpack had 24 points and 214 yards the first 13 minutes Saturday and 17 points (all off turnovers) and 306 yards the final 47 minutes.

“What you got to do is identify the problem, don’t complain, don’t gripe,” Fisher said. ‘“What’s the issue and what’s our plan? Here’s the problem. What can we do and do we have the personnel to do it?’ So we made the adjustments.

“They did a great job of coaching. He was ready he knew what to do he knew exactly where he was going with it. He had some good ideas from his assistants. That’s your job. Take care of it.”

Fisher often cites the struggles early last season, one in which the Seminoles steadily improved to become the most dominating defense in the country. The comparison, though, does not help this year’s defense.

Through four games last season (Pittsburgh, Nevada, Bethune-Cookman, Boston College), Florida State allowed an average of 15 points and 287.5 yards.

Through four games this season (Oklahoma State, The Citadel, Clemson, NC State), Florida has allowed an average of 25.3 points and 403.3 yards.

Florida State is ranked 65th nationally in scoring defense, 76th in total defense, 77th in rushing defense (168.3 ypg) and 61st in passing defense (235.0).

Which leads us to the perfect remedy – Wake Forest.

If there ever was a week for this defense to regain its confidence it’s this one. Wake comes to Doak Campbell with the worst offense in the Power 5 conferences and among the worst in the FBS.

The Demon Deacons are tied for 113th nationally in scoring offense (18.2 ppg), 123rd in total offense (230.2), 125th in rushing offense (29.2) and tied for 93rd in passing offense (201.0).

Additionally, Fisher believes with the exception of Nile Lawrence-Stample being lost for the season, the Seminoles are getting healthy with linebacker Ukeme Eligwe (foot) set to play for the first time this season, Mario Edwards (concussion) returning after missing a game and a half and cornerbacks P.J. Williams (hamstring) and Ronald Darby (hamstring) finally fully over their injuries.